Plans for world's largest urban farm temporarily downsized as Detroit looks to rightsize

Courtesy PhotoHantz Farms hopes to turn vacant Detroit lots, such as this, into the world's largest urban farm.

Almost two years ago, Southfield businessman John Hantz announced plans to use his own fortune to create the world's largest for-profit urban farm in Detroit.

But after myriad setbacks and delays, he's now seeking City Council approval for a 5-acre farm that will allow residents to pick fruit -- for free.

Feb. 24, The Detroit News: It's a U-Pick, U No Pay plan that's far from the entrepreneur's original — and eventual — intention.

The deal allows Hantz to buy 20 city lots on Brimson, Dwyer and St. Louis streets for $6,800 — a pittance until you realize that he's going to tear down a vacant building, clear the land and return abandoned property to the tax rolls. His plans, developed by Michael Score, a Detroit-born agriculture and urban farms expert hired from Michigan State University 15 months ago, also include a landscaped garden with footpaths and gazebo, a site for growing apples on a vertical grid and converting a dumping ground into a pond and wetlands.

"It won't be controversial because they cannot sell any of the products they grow," says Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins, who heads a subcommittee that's voting on the plan next week.

The failure to realize the original Hantz Farms vision is not for lack of trying, as President Michael Score told The News city officials have made him feel "like Dorothy bringing back the broomstick in the 'Wizard of Oz.'"

Say what you will about commercial urban farming's role in Detroit's revitalization, but allowing a businessman to buy largely-unused parcels and put them back on the property-tax roll makes sense on a number of levels.

Three issues appear to be holding up the original development: Michigan's Right to Farm Law, uncertainty surrounding the Detroit Works Project and the fact urban farming technically remains illegal under Detroit zoning code.

The latter two issues are closely related. Karla Henderson, Mayor Dave Bing's group executive for planning and facilities, said in December that the city was working to develop an urban farming policy as part of the Detroit Works Project.

It's about time. Or for Hantz -- who's temporarily downsized his plans as the city looks to rightsize -- about two-years too late.